Isolation Gowns: Improving PPE Compliance

Overview

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered to be the last line of defense in protecting both patients and healthcare providers from hazardous pathogens in the healthcare environment. Nurses and infection preventionists (IPs) are balancing staff and patient safety, prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and the ever-changing regulatory environment. Isolation gowns are a critical element of PPE to prevent exposure to infectious diseases as well as improving patient outcomes.

This continuing education activity will review the components and regulatory requirements for PPE, and describe the role of PPE in infection prevention in the healthcare setting. Isolation gowns will be discussed as a critical element of infection prevention along with challenges related to compliance and strategies to promote compliance with proper use of isolation gowns.

Objectives

Review the components of and regulatory requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the healthcare setting.

Discuss the role of PPE in infection prevention in the healthcare setting.

Intended audience

This independent learning activity is intended for use by perioperative nurses and other healthcare professionals who are interested learning more about personal protective equipment and isolation gowns.